Covid-19 Delta outbreak: Early learning sector in 'dire straits' before mandate

The vaccine mandate deadline for schools, health and disability sectors has passed. Photo / Getty Images

An early learning sector in "dire straits" expects to feel the impact of the Covid-19 vaccine mandate in the coming weeks now that the deadline has passed.

From today, anyone who is in contact with children in an educational setting has to have had their first vaccination or they will not be allowed on school grounds.

NZEI Bay of Plenty early childhood education (ECE) representative Reweti Elliot said it was a "highly stressful" situation in the already short-staffed sector.

The sector had recently had protests regarding the lack of staff and poor ratios and said there were about 600 vacancies nationwide that could not be filled.

He said the real impacts of the mandate would become apparent over the next fortnight with staff from the education sector given a "grace period" of two weeks to work from home and get their vaccine.

"We'll see how it's going to affect our sector already in dire straights," he said.

"Now we've got cases in Rotorua and Taupo ... It becomes quite stressful keeping ourselves safe, our bubbles safe, and the children safe."

Rotorua Principals Association president Gary Veysi felt the region was in a good position after discussing the vaccine mandate with about 30 Rotorua principals at an association meeting last week.

The meeting was also attended by the Ministry of Education, NZEI and New Zealand School Trustees Association.

Veysi said the majority of principals reported they were not losing any staff to the mandate, but there was some concern expressed from principals at rural schools.

He said the principals association was contacting about 20 principals who were unable to attend the meeting to check if support was needed.

Rotorua Principals Association president Gary Veysi. Photo / Supplied

The news comes as a principal, a teacher and three other staff members from Rangiuru School told NZME earlier this month they would not get the vaccine even if it meant losing their jobs.

Western Bay of Plenty Principals' Association president Suzanne Billington said most schools were looking at losing at least some staff.

However, she said exactly how many staff would not be known until the final numbers were submitted.

Most parents were "sympathetic and understanding" of the "difficult" circumstances schools were in, she said.

"Parents understand that schools don't have a choice around this and we have to follow a health order and Ministry of Education guidelines."

Looking forward, Billington said the vaccine status would be a factor in recruitment and would also dictate what events and trips pupils could go on.

"Parents who are normally fully involved may not be because they aren't vaccinated ... in primary [schools], it's very much parent support with whatever's happening with the kids."

"It's hard ... it creates divisions in families, and schools were no different."

She said people were on both sides of the argument and people tend to not talk about it in the staff room.

Western Bay of Plenty Principals Association president Suzanne Billington. Photo / File

"It's really emotional and it's creating quite a bit of anxiety in schools at the moment."

Ministry of Education operations and integration leader Sean Teddy said no schools in the region had applied for an exemption to the mandate, and it did not hold staff vaccination status.

Four schools in the country applied for exemptions which are currently being assessed.

He said the ministry was working with school and kura leaders in the region who anticipated they may "experience some disruption".

"We will continue to work intensively with those few schools who have indicated they need further support."

He said the ministry had "established processes" for addressing supply challenges which will be developed further where necessary.

According to the Education Gazette, there were 109 job vacancies in the Bay of Plenty as of yesterday.

Health sector mandate

As of last Monday, about 4.1 per cent of Lakes District Health Board staff had not had a first jab, but it had one of the highest rates of fully vaccinated staff of New Zealand's DHBs and was confident it could manage after yesterday's first jab deadline passed.
Updated numbers are expected later this week.

All Resident Medical Officer members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association were vaccinated, a spokeswoman said.

She said health boards were better placed to comment on what impact the vaccine would have on the sector.

The New Zealand Medical Association said in a press release said it believed all doctors should be vaccinated.